Some 40 Israel Air Force fighter jets struck dozens of military targets and the nuclear reactor of Arak across Iran on Wednesday night, using over 100 munitions, the IDF confirmed in a Thursday morning announcement.
The strike on the nuclear reactor, including the reactor’s core seal, is a key component in Tehran’s production of plutonium and was targeted as part of Operation Rising Lion’s mission to prevent the Islamic Republic from gaining nuclear weapons.
Preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons
As part of the strikes, and as part of the broad effort to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the nuclear reactor in the area of Arak in Iran was targeted, including the structure of the reactor's core seal, which is a key component in plutonium production.
While the construction of the reactor was thwarted by international intervention after it began development in 1997, the Iranian regime has advanced its conversion to produce low-grade plutonium in recent years, according to the military. While this enrichment is reportedly not suitable for the production of nuclear weapons, Tehran prevented additions to the site which would have permanently prevented its ability to manufacture nuclear weapons.
The IAF also struck a nuclear weapons development site in Natanz, which the military said contained components and specialized equipment used to advance nuclear weapons development.
The jets also struck military production sites, which were producing materials for ballistic missiles, missiles, and Iranian air defense systems.
The military added that it had targeted Iranian air defense batteries, surface-to-surface missile storage sites, detection radar systems, and detection equipment belonging to the Iranian regime.